- Yaroslava Mahuchikh clinched the gold medal by successfully clearing the 2m mark
- She utilized her typical pre-jump routine that includes curling up in a sleeping bag
- Mahuchikh explained how snuggling in the bag aided her relaxation
Ukrainian Olympic gold medalist Yaroslava Mahuchikh utilized an unusual method for calming herself to achieve high jump success in Paris – wrapping herself in a sleeping bag.
Mahuchikh, who shattered the long-held world record earlier this summer, amazed her rivals by clearing the 2m height and securing the gold medal.
The key to her triumph appears to be her pre-jump routine, which includes climbing into a sleeping bag in front of the audience and taking a moment to zone out.
At times, she even seemed to be dozing off or deep in meditation.
‘I feel at ease when I lie down and sometimes I can gaze at the clouds,’ Mahuchikh shared with TIME post-victory. ‘Sometimes I count numbers, 1,2,3,4, or I focus on my breath. It’s all about relaxing and not thinking about being at the stadium.’
Ukrainian high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics
Her secret to success seems to be her pre-jump routine – curling up in a sleeping bag
Mahuchikh was seen climbing into her green bedroll and trying to unwind
Mahuchikh occasionally took it a step further by resting her head on her backpack, and now and again, sipping from a can of Red Bull to maintain her focus.
As reported by the New York Times, her quirky routine began back in 2018 when Mahuchikh triumphed at the Youth Olympic Games.
Her coach, Serhii Stepanov, suggested that sitting for too long between jumps could lead to blood pooling in the legs, adversely affecting performance.
Thus, Mahuchikh always arrives at the arena with a backpack containing a yoga mat, her reliable sleeping bag, and a spare pair of socks.
She even mentioned that she replaces her sleeping bag each season.
The athlete was spotted resting her head on her rucksack en route to winning the event
With her impressive technique, Mahuchikh successfully cleared the 2m height, surprising her competitors
‘Due to the spikes we wear, it can be quite challenging,’ she added. ‘I recommend that all athletes have a mat and blanket, as it’s really cozy to lay in various weather conditions. When it rains, it’s not an issue. It never gets hot since it’s a camping blanket.’
Her journey towards these Olympics has been tumultuous.
In February 2022, at the age of 22, she quickly packed her car and fled Ukraine as artillery and gunfire erupted at the start of Russia’s invasion.
Since then, her preparations have seen her training and living across several nations, including Portugal, Poland, Germany, Belgium, and Estonia.
Her triumph in the high jump marked Ukraine’s first individual gold in Paris.
